There’s a burgeoning anti-contour movement among beauty fans. Some oppose mainstream contouring on principle, others for purely aesthetic reasons. I’ve written about this in the past, and I’m not about to suggest you opt either in or out, but I am certainly noticing increasing numbers of women stepping away from the bronzer and towards something a little softer and less obvious.
If that’s more your style, then the new(ish) glow powders fit the bill perfectly. Chanel first introduced them via Les Beiges (£39), a collection of excellent peachy powders designed to mimic a healthy, natural-looking outdoorsy glow (the range extends to include sheer cheek and lip colours this month).
New out is Lancôme’s version, Belle de Teint (£35, and worn here). It includes moisturising oils (to soften lines) and caffeine (to give dull complexions a boot up the backside). The shade range is pretty inclusive, too (cleverly, Lancôme has adjusted the amount of pearlescence for each skin tone).
Less diverse in its thinking, but beautiful if you’re pale to olive, is Guerlain’s Terracotta Joli Teint (£31.95). I’ve been wearing this a lot, wherever I used to wear bronzer – the cheek hollows, temples and so on – or, if I’m not wearing foundation, buffed all over the face with a fat brush (I’d recommend this technique, regardless of brand). The coloured section on one side is to pop on the cheeks, though I largely ignore it.
I searched high and low, but failed to find a great budget option this week. I have no doubt that good dupes are being formulated as I write. I will report back.
